Pages

My Hysterectomy Story: The First Appointment

After I had discovered a mass on my lower abdomen, I called an OB/GYN the same day to make an appointment. I had never seen an OB/GYN in Greenville; we moved here from Johnson City, TN September 2012 shortly after my 4th child was born. After having a normal Pap at my 6-week postpartum checkup (March 2012), my OB/GYN in Tennessee told me that I didn’t need to have another Pap for 3 more years.

I also have to admit, I was extremely fond of my former OB/GYN, Dr. H; I could write PAGES about how much he helped me after having pelvic floor damage from the birth of my first child and how wonderful he was delivering my 3 subsequent children. He was an AMAZING OB/GYN and I am convinced I will not have another like him. So, when the 3-year mark passed in March 2015, I was dreading finding another doctor I could trust with this particular area of my healthcare.

But now that I needed to make this appointment with a GYN, I was really searching for someone who could just fit me in their schedule. I didn’t really care WHO I saw, I just wanted to be seen. The earliest appointment I could find was 3 weeks out (scheduled Dec 28, 2015), which was too far out in my opinion, but it was the best that could be done.

Shortly after I scheduled the appointment, my mother called and told me that they would watch the kids for me for a few nights to help me out during the busy holidays (at this point, no one knew about the Thing except me and Patrick). I was so relieved to have some respite from my responsibilities with the children, but I also had this Thing I needed to pay attention to, so on a whim, I called the OB/GYN right after I dropped off the kids and asked if they happened to have an available appointment. And by grace, they had an opening!!!! So I was able to see a doctor the very next day (December 15th) rather than 2 weeks later. I was relieved!

On the 15th, I was going into my appointment fully expecting answers. Needless to say, I was highly disappointed with how it all turned out. The OB/GYN I was scheduled to see, Dr. J, was very nice, but I was expecting a full exam (Pap) and an ultrasound, neither of which I received. Dr. J asked me a lot of questions and checked my uterus, which she told me it felt large and that I probably had a large fibroid but she couldn’t be certain until we had an ultrasound. The ultrasound technician was already gone for the day, so I could not get answers that day. I was highly emotional and very upset because I wanted to leave with answers and all I left with that day was another appointment and more questions. Thankfully, the appointment was for an ultrasound the next day and was scheduled in plenty of time before I had to go pick up the kids from my parents house.

Before I left the OB/GYN’s office, I told her I was anxious about my diagnosis (or lack thereof) and I wasn’t sure where I should put my mind on my future health. She assured me that I should focus on Christmas and enjoying my kids over the Christmas season. I appreciated her advice and decided to heed it. I was highly anticipating the appointment the next day, with the hope of some answers.

SEEING THE GOOD:

Parents who served me by keeping my 4 kids for a few days, without knowing the mental stress I was under regarding my health

An available GYN appointment sooner rather than later

An available second GYN appointment the very next day while my kids were still at my parents house; no need to arrange additional childcare!!! Yay!!!

No comments
:

Post a Comment

Let's Connect

I have been chosen to be the keeper of 5 of the most incredible "Mosses", my husband Patrick and my 4 beautiful children, Mallory, Ethan, Evan and Adam. I have learned a lot through the years and I want to share my growing experiences with you.